Price to start opening day for Tigers, not Verlander

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) works in the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, March 16, 2015, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

John Bazemore

March 20, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) David Price is getting the nod as opening-day starter for the Detroit Tigers, ending Justin Verlander's run of having that honor at seven straight seasons.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus announced his decision about the April 6 opener against Minnesota on Friday.

''I'm just doing what I think is best for the 2015 Tigers,'' Ausmus said. ''They are both great pitchers. We'll just see. They will both get their starts.''

Price was acquired from Tampa Bay at the July 31 trade deadline and had a better season than Verlander.

After a dominant run which included the 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award, Verlander struggled last year, going 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA. Price went 4-4 with a 3.59 ERA for Detroit and had a 3.26 ERA overall.

''I just hope that one year today (Verlander) will have proven me wrong,'' Ausmus said. ''It was a tough decision.''

Ausmus said Verlander would get the second start of the season and likely be followed by Anibal Sanchez, Alfredo Simon and Shane Green.

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